Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday that up to 20 US refueling aircraft are currently at Ben Gurion Airport, with the rest to be directed to Israeli Air Force bases. The statement continues the running dispute over American military aircraft congestion at the civilian airport during the summer travel season.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday that up to 20 US refueling aircraft are currently at Ben Gurion Airport, with the remainder to be redirected to Israeli Air Force bases. The statement follows earlier developments in the ongoing dispute over American military aircraft occupying parking stands at Israel's main civilian airport.
As The Zioneer reported at 14:08, Regev had previously said the remaining US refueling planes would land at air force bases rather than Ben Gurion. The broader story began on Friday, June 26, when Regev said the US had committed to removing approximately 20 aircraft by Tuesday. That timeline appears to have shifted: by Tuesday, July 14, Regev now says up to 20 remain at Ben Gurion, implying that not all were removed as initially planned, and that the rest will go to air bases.
The dispute has drawn in aviation officials, who warned of 50,000 summer ticket cancellations (as The Zioneer reported July 7 at 14:12), and the Defense Ministry, which is being asked to find alternative parking solutions for the tankers. Regev has publicly called for the removal of the US fleet, escalating with Washington. The number of US refueling aircraft in Israel has fluctuated between 34 and 72 according to various reports, but no official count has been confirmed.
4 developments
- DevelopingBen Gurion Airport bars additional US refueling aircraft after four land overnight, report says
- DevelopingAdditional US refueling tankers land at Ben Gurion Airport from the Gulf
- DevelopingRegev: Ben Gurion operating normally, US refuelers not returning amid evacuation
- ConfirmedTransport Ministry chief: Regev ordered no harm to Ben Gurion flights, security ministry must find solution for US tankers
Source and signal
- Internal intake